Delayed-action switch



y 1950 T. J. MUDON 2,505,985

DELAYED-ACTION SWITCH Filed Jan. 26, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l JwkrzZ/f flamas 7 7771161072.

Patented May 2, 1950 OFFICE DELAYED-ACTION SWITCH Thomas J. Mudon, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Edward M. Burbach, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 26, 1948, Serial No. 4,300

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a delayed action switch, and more particularly to an attachment suitable for use with a conventional wall type toggle switch for converting such a switch into one capable of delayed action.

In many instances, existing switches, such as those in home lighting systems, are inconvenient- 1y located, so that on occasion the switch operator after turning off the switch must grope around in the dark when leaving the room. The advantages and desirability of a switch that may be operated and then that will function to hold the circuit for a reasonable period, such as half a minute, are at once apparent.

One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an attachment that may be applied to an existing, installed wall type toggle switch without the need for removing or modifying the switch, the attachment containing mechanism that cooperates with the switch toggle to effect delayed action before the switch moves to o position.

Briefly, the attachment has an actuating member that is manually moved to effect immediate switch action from the on to the on switch positions. Subsequent motion of the actuating member to another position cooperates with certain instrumentalities within th attachment to effect a time delay before the switch shifts from its on to its position.

Another object involves the use of energy storing devices such as springs to provide the energy necessary to cause switch action after the lapse of a predetermined time interval.

Another object involves a provision that permits immediate switch action from the on to off switch positions without the interposition of the time delay, if desired by the operator.

Still another object is to provide an attachment of this character that is inexpensive to manufacture, and yet highly satisfactory for its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein one form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood that the description and drawings are illustrative only, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a face plate of a conventional wall type toggle switch showing the application thereto of the attachment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plane view of a face plate of a toggle switch showing a switch toggle protruding therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 4 showing the various instrumentalities within the attachment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 1-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 3 showing certain parts of the attachment in the position they assume when the switch toggle is in on position;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts of the attachment in the positions they assume as the switch toggle is being actuated to off position following expiration of the time delay interval;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts in the positions they assume when the switch toggle is at rest in off position;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on line 99 of Fig. 3.

Referrin now to the drawings, the attachment of the invention is indicated generally at H] in Fig. 1. Attachment In is of suitable size to be received on the face plate ll of a conventional wall type toggle switch. The portion of a conventional toggle switch lying rearwardly of the face plate H is indicated generally by l2 in Fig. 4.

As is well known, the face plates for wall toggle switches are fairly well standardized as to size, shape and manner of mounting to the toggle switch itself. The face plate I is provided with a pair of spaced holes for the reception of screws 13 that are threaded into the switch l2 lying behind the plate, the screws thus serving to secure the plate to the switch. In add tion, face plate H has a central aperture 14 through which extends a switch actuating toggle 15. The present attachment cooperates with this toggle IS in effecting the desired switch action.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, attachment 10 comprises a casing l8 of suitable size for reception on face plate 1 l of the switch. Casing 18 may be conveniently made of plastic material suitably formed in a mold. Mounting holes are provided in the casing in proper position so that screws l9, somewhat longer than the previously mentioned screws l3, may be used to secure casing I8 and face plate H to the switch [2.

For ease in explanation, attachment in will be described in conjunction with the face late ll, switch l2 and toggle 15 with which it is 3 normally used. The following described elements, unless otherwise noted, are all suitably mounted within the casing 18.

A base member 20 is disposed within casing l8 in such a manner that it lies adjacent to the surface of face plate H, the base member 20 having a central aperture 2i therein that passes toggle of the switch. The base member 25 has a pair of upstanding minor flanges 22 and 23, one on each side of aperture 2|, the flanges thus being adjacent the sides of toggle l5.

A U-shaped member 25 has the free ends of its legs pivoted for rotation to the flanges 22 and 23, the size of U-shaped member 25 being such that its web portion 25 does not contact toggle upon rotation of the member on its axis. The web is provided with a depending lug 21 that extends generally toward the axis of rotation of the member. The lug 21 is of proper length-to engage toggle l5, and it does so when the U-shaped member 25 is being rotated in moving toggle l5 from its on to its off position.

One of the legs of U-shaped member 25 carries a pawl or arm (Figs. 5, 6, '1 and 9), the arm lying generally parallel to the leg. Arm 35, in the form illustrated, has a longitudinal slot 38 therein which receives spaced, headed pins 32 (Fig. 9) carried on the associated leg of a U- shaped member 25. Thus arm is free'to slide lengthwise with respect to that leg of member 25. The free end of arm 35 is inclined as shown at 33 to .provide a cam surface that will be mentioned hereinafter. A spring element 34 (center of Fig. 3) has one end fixed to U-shaped member 25, the other end thereof entering slot 3! so as to bias arm 39 in an extended position with respect to the member 25.

Referring to the left-hand sides of Figs. 3 and 4 and to Fig. 8, a train of gears indicated generally by 36 is provided. A small diameter gear 31 at the input end of the train is located in effective relationship with the free end of arm 30. The gear train terminates at its opposite end in a large diameter gear 38 having inclined, sawlike teeth. I

The gear 38 forms one element of an escapement mechanism, the other e ement being an oscillating wheel 35 having a pair of spaced pins 40. The pins 40 engage gear 38 in a well-known manner to cause gear 38 to rotate intermittently, thus to limit the rate at which the various gears rotate.

I It will presently be seen that input gear 31 of the gear train 36 is loaded for rotation through its engagement by arm 30 of the U-shaped member 25; This loading causes rotation of input gear 31 as well as the other gears of the train, therate of gear rotation being limited by the escapement mechanism. As will appear hereinafter, rotation of gear 31 through a limited portion of a revolution effects disengagement of arm 30, whereupon to terminate the delay interval provided by the attachment.

" The base member 20 also'has a'spaced pair of upstanding major flanges All and 4! (Figs. 3 and 4), the upper edges of such flanges defining a track running longitudinally of casing I8. A member 42 rides in sliding engagement upon this track. The member 42 has a depending lug 43 that extends downwardly on the opposite side of toggle l5 from that occupied by depending lug 21 of U-shaped member 25. The purpose of lug 43 is to engage toggle l5 and cause the movement thereof from its off to its on position.

Resilient means such as springs 55 extend between the lug 53 and the U-shaped member 25, the springs being located so as to exert a force on U-shaped member 25 tending to rotate that member from the position it occupies when toggle I5 is in on position through an are that causes depending lug 21 to move the toggle to its off position.

The facing of casing 18 is provided with an elongated slot 48 (Fig. 8) that extends generally through the range of motion of sliding member 42. An actuating member 55 is mounted on the casing exterior, a boss portion 52 thereof extending through slot 48. A screw 52 forms a rocking connection between actuating member 55 and the siding member 42 so that the two may be moved together and yet member 52 may rock slightly with respect to portion 5!. An insert 53 containing a luminous material may be provided for convenience on the face of actuating member 55, if desired, the insert covering the countersunk head of screw 52.

A positioning means for the sliding member 42 may take the form of a short pin 55 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) extending from the inside of casing l8 near the slot 58. The pin 55 is located so as to be engaged by sliding member 52 when thelatter is moved to a point remote from the U-shaped member 25. As will be understood, the positioning of sliding member 4?. by pn 55 occurs when the attachment is conditioned for toggle actuation to the off position, the actuation occurring after the time delay interval. When sliding member 52 is positioned behind pin 55, the springs 45 are extended so as to exert a force tending to rotate U-shaped member 25. Substantial rotation of the member, of course, is prevented as long as arm 35 is in engagement with gear 31 of the gear train. It will be noted in Figs. 6 and 8 that the springs 55 slightly rock sliding member 42 so as to efiect engagement of the member w th pin 55.

Operation of the delayed action attachment will now be summarized. It is assumed that toggle I5 is first in the off or lower switch position such as shown in Fig. '1. To turn the switch on, actuating member 59 and associated sliding member 42 are moved upwardly until depending lug 53 engages toggle l5 and moves the latter to its on or upper position. Toggle l5, during this action, strikes depending lug 21 of U-shaped member 25 and causes the latter to assume the position as shown in Fig. 5. Inclined cam surface 33 of arm 35 engages gear 31 and causes retraction of the arm against the action of spring 34. After arm 30 clears gear 31, the spring restores the arm to its extended position.

When it is desired that the switch be actuated to its 0115 position following the time interval provided by the attachment, the actuating member 5'! is moved downwardly so that sliding member 42 is positioned remote from U-shaped member 25. The springs 55 are extended and they cooperate to rock member 52 so that it engages pin 55 as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The spr ng force tending to ro ate U-shaped member 25 is applied through arm 35 to one of the teeth of gear 31. The spring loading of gear 31 causes operation of gear train 35 and oscillation of escapement Wheel 39 as above described. Following a partial revolution of gear 31, the arm 30 is released from its engagement with the gear, and springs 45 cause sudden rotation of U-shaped member upon its p vots m a. direction reward sliding member 42. This rotation causes depending lug 21 to Strike toggle l5 and thus abruptly move the toggle to its off position.

It is apparent that various time intervals 'for the delay may be selected through suitable design of the gear train 36. Means may be provided on the attachment 'so that, if desired, the switch may be moved to off position without awaiting expiration of the time delay interval. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5 such means may take the f rm of a lever 60 that is pivoted at a point intermediate its ends to the base member -20. The actuating end of member extends externally of easing T8 as shown in Fig.3. The inner end or lever is disposed in effective relationsh p with the inclined end 33 of arm 30. Thus the lever '60 may be actuated to cause retraction of arm 30, thus effecting selective disengagement of the arm with gear 37, following which the 'U-shaped member '25 immediately moves toggle [5 to its off position.

The usefulness of the'p'rese'nt attachment 'may be enhanced by the provision of an electrical outlet 62 (Fig. 1) located on one of the casing sides. In Fig. 3 a plug 63 is shown in place in the Outlet. Also, a'rieon glow lamp (not shown) may be mounted within the casing behind a translucent window 64 (Fig. 1). The glow lamp may be connected for operation either when the sw tch is on or off, as desired.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes and modifications may be made without depart ng from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A delayed action switch comprising a com ventional wall type toggle switch having a face plate and a toggle protruding therefrom, a casing superimposed on said face plate, an actuating member on the face of said casing, a base member within said casing on said face plate, said base member having a central aperture surrounding said toggle, upstanding minor flanges on said base member adjacent the sides of said toggle, a U-shaped member pivoted to said minor flanges, said U-shaped member having a depending lug engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to "off position upon partial rotation of said member, a gear train and escapement mechanism having a driving gear adjacent said U-shaped member, a gear engaging pawl carried on one leg of said U-shaped member, a spring normally extending said pawl in position to engage said gear, a pair of spaced upstanding major flanges on said base member providing a track, a sliding member riding on said track and movahle therealong in response to the actuating memher on the face of said casing, said sliding memher having a depending lug engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to on position, means for positioning said sliding member remote from said U-shaped member, spring means connecting said sliding member with said U-shaped member whereby when said sliding member is positioned remote from said U-shaped member the spring means tends to rotate said latter member and thus spring load and rotate the driving gear of said gear train, rotation of said driving gear through a partial turn as permitted by said esventional wall type toggle switch having a face plate and a toggle protruding therefrom, a cas- 'in'g superimposed on said face plate, an actuating member operable from the casing-exterior, :a base member within said casing, said base member having a central aperture surrounding said toggle, a U-shaped member pivoted to said base member, said -U -shaped member having a portion thereo'f engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to 0d position upon partial rotation of said member, a gear train and escapement mechanism having a driving gear adjacent said U- shaped member, a gear engaging'pawl carried on said U-shaped member, a spring normally extending said pawl 'inposition to engage said gear, a pair of spaced upstanding flanges on said base member providing a track, a sliding member moveable-on said track in response to said actuating member, said sliding member having a portionthereof engageable with said toggle to move said toggle'to on" position, means for positioning said sliding member remote from said U- shaped member, resilient means "connecting said sliding member with said U-shaped member wherebywhen said sliding member is'positioned remote from said u-shaped member the resilient means tends to rotate said latter member and thus rotate the driving gear of said gear train, rotation of said driving gear through a partial turn as permitted by said escapement mechanism consuming a predetermined amount of time before releasing said pawl whereby said U-shaped member is further rotated by said resilient means to move said toggle to off position.

4. The combination of claim 3 with the addition of a means operable from the casing exterior for sliding said gear engaging pawl out of engagement with said driving gear whereby to release said U-shaped member for immediate engagement with said toggle.

5. A delayed action attachment for a switch having an actuating toggle, said attachment including a base member having an aperture surrounding said toggle, a U-shaped member pivoted to said base member, a portion of said U- shaped member being engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to off position, a gear train and escapement mechanism having a driving gear adjacent said U-shaped member, a gear engaging pawl carried by said U-shaped member, resilient means extending said pawl to a position to engage said gear, a longitudinally movable member having a portion engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to on position, means for positioning said longitudinally movable member remote from said U-shaped member, resilient means connecting said longitudinally movable member with said U-shaped member whereby when said former member is positioned remote from said latter member the resilient means tends to rotate said latter member and thus rotate the driving gear of said gear train, rotation of said driving gear through a partial turn releasing said pawl from said gear whereby said U- shaped member is further rotated to move said toggle to off position.

6. The combination of claim with the addition of a means operable from the casing exterior 7. A delayed action attachment for a switch having an actuating toggle, said attachment including a rotatable member having a portion thereof engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to 0 position, a gear train and escape- :ment mechanism having a driving gear adjacent said rotatable member, a gear engaging pawl car :ried by said rotatable member, a longitudinally movable member having a portion thereof engageable with said toggle to move said toggle to on position, means for positioning said longitudinally movable member remote from said rotatable member, resilient means connecting said longitudinally movable member with said rotatable member whereby when said former member is positioned remote from said latter member the resilient means drives said driving gear through connection with said pawl, rotation of said driving gear releasing said pawl whereby said rotatable mem- Eber moves said toggle to off position.

8. The combination of claim 7 with the addiition of a means operable from the casing exterior for sliding said gear engaging pawl out of en- ;gagement with said driving gear whereby to release said rotatable member for immediate engagement with said toggle.

.for sliding said gear engaging pawl out of en- ;gagement with said driving gear whereby to release said U-shaped member for immediate en- ;gagement with said tog position following a predetermined time interval, said means comprising a toggle engaging memher, a gear train and escapement mechanism hav= ing a driving gear adjacent said toggle engaging member, a yieldabl mounted pawl directly con necting said member with said gear when said member is in one position, means tending to move said member to another position whereby said gear is rotated through a partial revolution to release said connecting pawl following which said member moves said toggle to off position.

10. A delayed action attachment for a switch having an actuating toggle, said attachment ineluding means for moving said toggle to off 9. A delayed action attachment for a switch having an actuating toggle, said attachment including means for moving said toggle to "off REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,289,225 Perrin Dec, 31, 1918 1,868,241 Lux July 19, 1932 2,035,648

Frank Mar. 31, 1936 

